A novel system and method for programming one or more functional parameters of programmable bar code symbol readers and scanners, while avoiding the need to connect a data communication port of a computer system to a bar code symbol reader that is to be programmed. In a first illustrative embodiment, the function-encoded parameters of a master bar code symbol reader are determined using a computer-based-function-parameter device and subsequently buffered in memory buffer contained therein; the buffered function-encoded parameters are used to produce a list of function-encoded bar code symbols which are printed in a specified reading sequence; and the list of printed-function encoded bar code symbols are read in the specified reading sequence so as to configure the bar code symbol reader with the same set of function-encoded parameters that were programmed in the master bar code symbol reader. In a second illustrative embodiment, the function-encoded parameters of a master bar code symbol reader are determined using a computer based-function-parameter acquisition device and buffered in a memory buffer contained therein; the buffered function-encoded parameters are used to produce a list of symbol reading instructions, each referencing a specific function encoded bar code symbol on a particular page of a preprinted bar code symbol programming guide, and the list of symbol reading instructions are used to read in a specified order.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of programming one or more functional parameters in a first code symbol reader by using programmable functionalities of a second code symbol reader, the method comprising the steps of: (a) equipping a first code symbol reader with a first memory for storing a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each said programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in the first memory by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter; (b) equipping a second code symbol reader with a second memory for storing a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each said programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in the second memory by reading a function-encoded bar code symbol preassigned to the function parameter; (c) programming a set of functionalities in the second code symbol reader by reading a set of function-encoded code symbols and setting a corresponding set of function parameters in the second memory; (d) reading the corresponding set of function parameters set in the second memory; (e) storing the corresponding set of function parameters that were read in step (d); (f) generating a function parameter programming file by using the stored function parameters; (g) printing a list of code symbol programming instructions by using information stored in the function parameter programming file, each code symbol programming instruction including a reference to a specified function-encoded code symbol preprinted in a code symbol programming guide; (h) executing the list of said code symbol programming instructions printed during step (g) by reading each of the specified function-encoded code symbols using the first bar code symbol reader, wherein one or more function parameters in the first memory are automatically set to the same value(s) as one or more function parameters in the second memory.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (f) further comprises transferring the function parameter programming file to a remote computer system, and wherein step (g) further includes the step of the remote computer system using the transferred function parameter programming file to print the list of said code symbol programming instructions.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (g) is performed by a computer system that uses the function parameter programming file in order to print the function-encoded code symbols.
4. A method of programming one or more functionalities of a first code symbol reader using programmed functionalities of a second code symbol reader, the method comprising the steps of: (a) equipping a first code symbol reader with a memory for storing a plurality of programmable functionality parameters, wherein each of a plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded bar code symbol preassigned to a functionality so as to cause a corresponding functionality parameter to be stored in the memory; (b) equipping a second code symbol reader with a memory for storing a plurality of programmable functionality parameters, wherein each of a plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded bar code symbol preassigned to a functionality so as to cause a corresponding functionality parameter to be stored in the memory; (c) programming a set of functionalities in the second code symbol reader by reading a set of function-encoded bar code symbols and storing a corresponding set of functionality parameters in the memory of the second code symbol reader; (d) using a computer system to read the corresponding set of functionality parameters stored in the memory of the second code symbol reader; (e) storing the corresponding set of functionality parameters read in step (d) in the computer system; (f) using the stored functionality parameters of step (e) to produce a function parameter programming file; (g) using the function parameter programming file to generate a list of function-encoded code symbols, wherein each code symbol specifies a corresponding function parameter, and generating at least one of the function-encoded code symbols in a physically tangible form, such that the at least one function-encoded code symbol is readable by the first bar code scanner; and (h) reading one or more of the function-encoded code symbols using the first bar code symbol reader, wherein one or more function parameters in the memory of the first bar code symbol reader are automatically set to the same value(s) as one or more function parameters in the memory of the second code symbol reader.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein step (f) further comprises transferring the function parameter programming file to a remote computer system, and wherein step (g) comprises the remote computer system using the transferred function parameter programming file in order to print said one or more function-encoded code symbols, wherein each of the printed one or more function-encoded symbols is associated with a corresponding code symbol programming instruction.
6. An apparatus for programming one or more functionalities in a first code symbol reader using programmed functionalities of a second code symbol reader, wherein the first code symbol reader includes a memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in the function parameter memory, and wherein the second code symbol reader includes a memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in the memory, said apparatus CHARACTERIZED BY: a menu of function-encoded symbols readable by a bar code scanner, for use in programming a particular set of functionalities in the second code symbol reader by the second code symbol reader reading a particular set of said function-encoded symbols and automatically setting a corresponding set of function parameters in the memory of the first code symbol reader; and a computer system programmed for reading the corresponding set of function parameters set in the memory of the second code symbol reader, the computer system including a parameter storing mechanism for storing the corresponding set of read function parameters, a file producing mechanism for producing a function parameter programming file using the stored function parameters, and a list printing mechanism for printing a list of function-encoded code symbols using the function parameter programming file, wherein, when the list of function-encoded code symbols are read by the second code symbol reader, the function parameters in the first code symbol reader memory are automatically set to the values of the function parameters set in the memory of the second code symbol reader.
7. An apparatus for programming one or more functionalities in a first code symbol reader using programmed functionalities of a second code symbol reader, wherein the first code symbol reader includes a memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in the function parameter memory, and wherein the second code symbol reader includes a memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in the memory, said apparatus CHARACTERIZED BY: a menu of function-encoded symbols readable by a bar code scanner, for use in programming a particular set of functionalities in the second code symbol reader by the second code symbol reader reading a particular set of said function-encoded symbols and automatically setting a corresponding set of function parameters in the memory of the first code symbol reader; and a computer system programmed for reading the corresponding set of function parameters set in the memory of the second code symbol reader.
8. An apparatus for programming one or more functionalities in a first code symbol reader using programmed functionalities of a second code symbol reader, wherein the first code symbol reader includes a memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in the function parameter memory, and wherein the second code symbol reader includes a memory for storing function parameters corresponding to a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each of the plurality of programmable functionalities is implementable by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter so as to cause the storing of a corresponding function parameter in the memory, the apparatus CHARACTERIZED BY: a menu of function-encoded symbols readable by a bar code scanner, for use in programming a particular set of functionalities in the second code symbol reader by the second code symbol reader reading a particular set of said function-encoded symbols and automatically setting a corresponding set of function parameters in the memory of the first code symbol reader; and a list printing mechanism for printing a list of function-encoded code symbols wherein, when the list of function-encoded code symbols are read by the second code symbol reader, the function parameters in the first code symbol reader memory are automatically set to the values of the function parameters set in the memory of the second code symbol reader.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first and second code symbol reading devices each have hand-supportable housings.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each automatic code symbol reader includes a mechanism for producing a laser scanning beam.
11. An apparatus for programming one or more functionalities in a clone code symbol reader using the programmed functionalities of a master code symbol reader compatible with the clone code symbol reader, wherein the master code symbol reader includes a first memory mechanism, and is adapted to provide any of a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in the first memory mechanism by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter, and wherein the clone bar code symbol reader includes a second memory mechanism, and is adapted to provide any of a plurality of programmable functionalities, wherein each said programmable functionality is implementable by setting a corresponding function parameter in the second memory mechanism by reading a function-encoded code symbol preassigned to the function parameter; the apparatus comprising: a printed menu of function-encoded code symbols, for use in programming a particular set of functionalities in the master code symbol reader by the master code symbol reader reading a particular set of said function-encoded bar code symbols and automatically setting a corresponding set of function parameters in the first memory mechanism; and a processing mechanism for reading the corresponding set of function parameters set in the first memory mechanism, the processing mechanism including a parameter storing mechanism for storing the corresponding set of read function parameters, a file producing mechanism for producing a function parameter programming file using the stored function parameters, and an interfacing mechanism adapted for interfacing with a list printing mechanism; wherein the list printing mechanism is adapted to print a list of code symbol programming instructions using the function parameter programming instructions, each code symbol programming instruction including a reference to a specified function-encoded code symbol preprinted in the menu of function-encoded code symbols; wherein, when the function-encoded code symbols referenced in the list of code symbol programming instructions are read by the clone code symbol reader, the function parameters in the second memory are set to the values of the function parameters set in the first memory.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the master and clone code symbol reading devices are each automatic code symbol reading devices having hand-supportable housings.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein each automatic code symbol reader includes a mechamism for producing a laser scanning beam.
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September 28, 2001
May 20, 2003
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